Rohit Shetty is Currently Working on Singham3& Goalmaal-:AjayD

While Singham Returns was one of the biggest hits of his career, Action Jackson was one of the biggest disappointments. But Ajay Devgn has recovered from the stark contrasts of showbiz with tremendous focus. He has decided to change the reasons for work. His decision of signing films will be more personal. He's ready to steer clear of the expectations and choose scripts that satiate his creative hunger, rather than cater to what popular opinion expects of him. That's why he's put heart and soul into making Drishyam, a quaint family drama. The action star is softening up. It seems like a natural extension of his personal side, the committed family man who takes extra efforts for his wife, kids and family. It's a whole new Ajay Devgn focussing on the right things in life...

You've maintained a distance from the press all year long. How has life changed in the past year?
I don't know! Life is the same. I think it's just become busier. This year I've decided to do films for my satisfaction as well, like I'm doing Drishyam. People used to ask me where are films like Zakhm, Legend Of Bhagat Singh, Takshak or Raincoat. I said if I'm offered scripts like those then I'll definitely do them. I found that kind of quality in Drishyam, so I decided to do it. But it's a difficult decision because people expect an action film from Ajay Devgn. This movie, however, doesn't have that kind of action. Vijay Salgaonkar is a strong character who fights with his brains instead of his hands. It has an intelligent screenplay, one that's been masterfully written. Whoever wrote the screenplay of the original Malayalam film did a great job.

Was it the pressure of giving back-to-back hits that kept you from signing films like Zakhm and Raincoat?
No, not at all. I wasn't getting scripts like those. Back then I'd okayed Zakhm in three minutes because some scripts touch your heart instantly. I did read similar scripts in the years thereafter but if after the narration, you tell the director, Okay it's a nice script but I'll let you know tomorrow, then you shouldn't bother doing it. There was no second thought after I heard Drishyam. I was looking for a script like this since years and finally found it.

So what was the thought behind doing a bevy of masala blockbusters?
Commercial films have an art value to them; they require talent and people work equally hard to make them. And since the audience accept and enjoy them so much, there must be something good about them too. Back in the day, mainstream actors didn't do offbeat films. I was the one who started that trend. I always wanted to balance both kinds of films. But to maintain the balance I didn't get good offbeat scripts which luckily I'm getting now.


Do you think that content wise the Hindi film scenario is going through a change? Films like NH 10, Piku, Tanu Weds Manu Returns are doing good business at the box-office...
Absolutely! But I believe the drama and the emotions in our films hasn't changed, that's still the same. The way we present the drama and emotions is changing. The writing process and the attitude of making a movie are changing. It's not like before when makers would say We have done four actions scenes, four songs and four story based scenes... so done.' That doesn't work anymore.

There was a debate on social media recently where the audience raised a question - our actresses are doing content-driven cinema but what are our male superstars doing?
(Laughs) Movies of superstars haven't hit the theatres this year yet. Anyway, it's all about how good or bad the film is. The films in question are good films irrespective of whether they have a male or a female in the lead. The audiences have proved that they'll buy the ticket if the movie is good. They don't care who the face of the film is. But I believe at some level it matters. The face value of the film affects its reach and business. I'm not saying that these films have small faces, they too are big names. But if there's a superstar in the film, then it matters big time. My family recently watched Tanu Weds Manu Returns and they loved it. Sadly, I could only watch the last half an hour and I was blown away by the performances. Such films are made for niche audiences. A balance is necessary. Ultimately, larger than life films will do maximum business. But now you have to work hard for it, you can't just make a larger-than-life film without relevant content and expect it to do well.

Was that the thought behind Drishyam?
Commercially? Yes. Entertainment doesn't only mean comedy. It should make one say, Wow, now that's brilliant cinema'. It's something that appeals to the masses and the classes. You don't need to fly and hit a villain in the air. That's exactly what I've tried to change with Drishyam. I can tell you with utmost confidence that no one will say that it's a bad film. I don't know what will happen at the ticket windows but I'm confident about the content.

A still from Drishyam

You've collaborated with Nishikant Kamat for the first time... how was the experience?
Fabulous! He's a great guy and so simple. I love working with simple people. He has no ego and understands drama and emotions. In the beginning we discussed the changes he wanted to make while adapting Drishyam. I loved what he'd said then. He'd said he'd be happy achieving 80 percent of what the original did. That's a rare disposition from a director who's remaking a film. Usually directors say stuff like the original is good but just see what we do with the remake... we'll take it to another level' Nevertheless, Nishi has made some changes but he's done that aesthetically.

Tabu and you are coming together on screen after a long time. She also shared that you're a family friend and you were the one who asked her to sign Vijaypath...
We've always been family friends. Her cousin (Sameer Arya) is my childhood friend; we used to be in the same group. Even today when we talk it's usually a lot of fun, banter and swearing, just how it used to be before. We don't meet often, sometimes for months or years but whenever we do it's the same old feelings and attitude. It's not like you disappeared somewhere, you've changed or didn't keep in touch and stuff. Childhood friendships are like that. I don't remember recommending Tabu for Vijaypath though.

What do you think about Tabu as an actor?
She's grown fabulously. She was always a good actress but the growth that comes with time and understanding has made her even better. Even her performance in Drishyam is extraordinary. When I found out that the role is performance-oriented, I suggested that we should take Tabu.


You are playing a middle-class man in Drishyam. Does being a superstar make it difficult for you to relate to such characters?
It's not difficult for me to relate to any character because I always look at it as a creative exercise. The role I'm doing in Drishyam is something I haven't done in a long time. So yes, the character required my body language to be relaxed. It shouldn't look like I'll kill someone. I was a bit conscious about that. I had to mentally dial myself down. Many a times I'd be extremely relaxed and yet Nishikant Kamat would say that I looked angry. I'd say, No yaar, I'm normal.' And he'd say, You'll have to control more'.

Why has the middle-class assumed such importance in our movies?
It's the biggest class of society that's why it's the most important. This is your market. Now the middle-class is earning good money and that's the reason everyone in India targets them as consumers. And it's the one class that has still held on to values and that connects with our films. I'd say that even today I'm a middle-class person. Money doesn't change a person's class. When I was a kid my father (Veeru Devgn) was earning well and I was given a Mercedes. But our approach was always middle-class and we've retained those values. Even though we live in a bigger house now and travel first class, our family values are still modest. We live in a joint family and that's what my kids Nysa and Yug are learning as they grow up.

How do you keep Nysa and Yug grounded?
The atmosphere you create at home matters. Your kids watch the way you behave with your own parents. They notice when you touch their feet before leaving the house. Nothing goes unnoticed. Now that doesn't mean that my kids will also touch my feet when they go out but they've obviously noticed it. You can't preach these values, they'll watch and learn them on their own. Kajol and I don't feel the need to explain this to our children. Our kids are closer to my parents than we are. Nysa can't live without my mother. Be it my kids or my sister's they all call my mother Amma.

How do you spend time with them?
Whatever they like to and want to do, I'm up for it. Yug keeps running around the house so sometimes to catch his attention you have to do that with him. Nysa is grown up now, so she likes to sit and discuss stuff. We talk about movies and topics related to entertainment. She loves reading, so most of the time she's with her books. I guess in that sense she's turned out like her mother.

How many more years do you see yourself doing lead roles?
I don't know. It depends on me and my mood. I can quit tomorrow. Anyways I've lessened the work load. Next year I'll get busy with Shivaay. And honestly, it's been more than 24 years. I don't do movies for money now. I'll do whatever my heart says.




So when does the blockbuster jodi of Ajay Devgn and Rohit Shetty get back together?
We'll make Singham 3 and Golmaal 4. Rohit is currently working on both the scripts. Let's see which one gets ready first. I'm looking forward to working with him again.